Interactive television system and method having on-demand web-like navigational capabilities for displaying requested hyperlinked web-like

We claim:

1. A method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive television system, wherein the interactive television system comprises a video delivery system for providing video content, and at least one subscriber television including a display screen, wherein the subscriber television is coupled to the video delivery system, wherein the system further comprises a media server which stores a plurality of still images, the method comprising:

the video delivery system broadcasting a plurality of channels each comprising video content;

the subscriber television receiving said plurality of channels each comprising video content;

displaying on the screen one or more selection options, wherein said one or more selection options includes a first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not currently being broadcast by said video delivery system;

receiving user input selecting said first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one first still image which is not currently being broadcast by said video delivery system;

the subscriber television providing said request to the media server;

the media server providing one or more still images to the video delivery system in response to said request;

the video delivery system broadcasting said one or more still images on a first channel in response to receiving said one or more still images from the media server;

the subscriber television displaying on the screen said at least one first still image received on said first channel; and

displaying on the screen video content from one of said one or more channels each comprising video content, wherein said displaying on the screen one or more selection options occurs during said displaying on the screen said video content, wherein said video content comprises first video content related to a first subject matter and wherein said one or more still images have video content related to said first subject matter;

receiving user input selecting one or more selection options which indicate requests to view one or more still images currently being broadcast by said video delivery system which relate to said first subject matter, wherein said user input selecting said one or more selection options is received prior to said user input selecting said first selection option; and

the subscriber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images currently being broadcast by said video delivery system which relate to said first subject matter.

2. A method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive television system, wherein the interactive television system includes a subscriber television including a display screen, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of channels each comprising video content;

receiving at least one channel comprising a plurality of requested still video images;

displaying on the screen video content from one of said plurality of channels;

displaying on the screen one or more selection options, wherein said one or more selection options includes a first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one first still image which is not currently being received by said subscriber television;

receiving user input selecting said first selection option which indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not currently being received by said subscriber television;

the subscriber television system transmitting said request to a media server;

the subscriber television receiving one or more still images on a first channel in response to said transmitting said request; and

the subscriber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images received on said first channel;

displaying on the screen first video content related to a first subject matter from one of said one or more channels each comprising first video content, wherein said displaying on the screen one or more selection options occurs during said displaying on the screen said video content and wherein said one or more still images have video content related to said first subject matter;

receiving user input selecting one or more selection options which indicate requests to view one or more still images currently being received which relate to said first subject matter, wherein said user input selecting said one or more selection options is received prior to said user input selecting said first selection option; and

the subscriber television displaying on the screen said one or more still images currently being received which relate to said first subject matter.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the video delivery system broadcasting at least one second channel comprising a plurality of still video images;

the subscriber television receiving said at least one second channel comprising said plurality of still video images;

wherein said first selection option indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not being broadcast on said at least one second channel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first channel comprises a plurality of still images, the method further comprising:

determining which of said plurality of still video images on said first channel corresponds to said user input after said video delivery system broadcasts said one or more still video images on said first channel;

wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more additional still images received on said first channel is performed in response to said determining.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying on the screen video content comprises displaying on the screen said video content on a second television channel; and

wherein said second television channel is different than said first television channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the video delivery system broadcasting a plurality of channels each comprising video content comprises the video delivery system broadcasting interactive program data with one or more of said channels;

wherein the method further comprises the subscriber television executing said interactive program data;

wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options is performed in response to the subscriber television executing said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the system further comprises a set top box coupled to the subscriber television;

wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options comprises the set top box receiving said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels and displaying on the screen said one or more selection options in response to said interactive program data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more still video images corresponding to said first selection includes displaying on the screen a second set of selection options, wherein at least one of said second set of selection options corresponds to other still video images.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the video delivery system broadcasts a plurality of still video images on said first channel

wherein the video delivery system broadcasting said first channel comprises the video delivery system broadcasting interactive program data with each of said plurality of still video images;

wherein said displaying on the screen said second set of selection options is performed in response to receiving interactive program data associated with said one or more still video images.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a second selection of said second set of selection options, wherein said second selection indicates a request to view a second still image which is currently being broadcast by said video delivery system; and

displaying on the screen said second still video image corresponding to said second selection in response to said receiving user input selecting said second selection of said second set of selection options.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a second selection of said second set of selection options, wherein said second selection indicates a request to view a second still image which is not currently being broadcast by said video delivery system;

the subscriber television system providing said request to the media server;

the media server providing said second still image to the video delivery system in response to said request;

the video delivery system broadcasting said second still video image on said first channel in response to receiving said second still image from the media server; and

the subscriber television displaying on the screen said second still image received on said first channel.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said still video images are compressed still video images.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said media server is an Internet server for providing video content on the Internet.

14. The interactive television system of claim 1, wherein the video delivery system is adapted to broadcast interactive program data with one or more of said plurality of channels; and

wherein said subscriber television includes a processor for executing said interactive program data, wherein said subscriber television displays said selection options in response to executing said interactive program data.

15. The interactive television system of claim 14, wherein the system further comprises a set top box coupled to the subscriber television;

wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options comprises the set top box receiving said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels and displaying on the screen said one or more selection options in response to said interactive program data.

16. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

the subscriber television receiving at least one second channel comprising a plurality of still video images;

wherein said first selection option indicates a request to view at least one still image which is not being broadcast on said at least one second channel.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein said first channel comprises a plurality of still images, the method further comprising:

determining which of said plurality of still video images on said first channel corresponds to said user input after said subscriber television receives said one or more still video images on said first channel;

wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more additional still images received on said first channel is performed in response to said determining.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein said displaying on the screen video content comprises displaying on the screen said video content on a second television channel; and

wherein said second television channel is different than said first television channel.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein subscriber television system receives interactive program data with one or more of said plurality of channels;

wherein the method further comprises the subscriber television executing said interactive program data;

wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options is performed in response to the subscriber television executing said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the system further comprises a set top box coupled to the subscriber television;

wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options comprises the set top box receiving said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels and displaying on the screen said one or more selection options in response to said interactive program data.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more still video images corresponding to said first selection includes displaying on the screen a second set of selection options, wherein at least one of said second set of selection options corresponds to other still video images.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the subscriber television receives a plurality of still video images on said first channel

wherein the subscriber television receives interactive program data with each of said plurality of still video images;

wherein said displaying on the screen said second set of selection options is performed in response to receiving interactive program data associated with said one or more still video images.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a second selection of said second set of selection options, wherein said second selection indicates a request to view a second still image which is currently being received by said subscriber television; and

displaying on the screen said second still video image corresponding to said second selection in response to said receiving user input selecting said second selection of said second set of selection options.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a second selection of said second set of selection options, wherein said second selection indicates a request to view a second still image which is not currently being received by said subscriber television system;

the subscriber television system providing said request to a media server;

the subscriber television system receiving said second still image in response to said request; and

the subscriber television displaying on the screen said received second still image.

25. The method of claim 2, wherein said still video images are compressed still video images.

26. The method of claim 2, wherein said media server is an Internet server for providing video content on the Internet.

27. The interactive television system of claim 2 wherein the video delivery system is adapted to broadcast interactive program data with one or more of said plurality of channels; and

wherein said subscriber television includes a processor for executing said interactive program data, wherein said subscriber television displays said selection options in response to executing said interactive program data.

28. The interactive television system of claim 27, wherein the system further comprises a set top box coupled to the subscriber television; and

wherein said displaying on the screen said one or more selection options comprises the set top box receiving said interactive program data associated with said video content from said one of said one or more channels and displaying on the screen said one or more selection options in response to said interactive program data.

Description Submit all comments and votes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to interactive video delivery mediums such as interactive television, and more particularly to a system and method for generating and displaying requested hyperlinked web-like still video images in an interactive broadcast television system. The present invention is also related to a system and method for emulating Internet web pages in an interactive broadcast television system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The Internet is an international network based on various standard protocols and transfer mechanisms which supports thousands of computer networks. The basic transfer protocol used by the Internet is referred to as TCP/IP (Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which was a transfer protocol originally used in the Unix operating system. The Internet essentially provides an interactive image and document presentation system which enables users to selectively access desired information and/or graphics content. The Internet has grown to form an information superhighway or information backbone with many and varied commercial uses.

The Internet includes various server types, including World Wide Web (WWW) servers which offer hypertext capabilities. Hypertext capabilities allow the Internet to link together a web of documents, which can be navigated using a convenient graphical user interface (GUI). WWW servers use Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) to identify documents, where a URL is the address of the document that is to be retrieved from a network server. The WWW, also referred to as the "web", also uses a hypertext language referred to as the hypertext mark-up language (HTML). HTML is a scripting or programming language which allows content providers or developers to place hyperlinks within web pages which link related content or data. The web also uses a transfer protocol referred to as the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). When a user clicks on a link in a web document, the link icon in the document contains the URL which the client employs to initiate the session with the server storing the linked document. HTTP is the protocol used to support the information transfer.

Interactive television is an interactive audio/video delivery medium which provides broadcast audiovisual content to a number of subscribers. Interactive television provides broadcast video and audio to users and also provides a return path for the user to interact with the content, e.g., to make selections or order desired products, etc. Unlike the Internet, interactive television is primarily a broadcast medium which generally requires that the same audiovisual content be delivered to each user or subscriber.

One element of interactive television is the ability to provide electronic program guides and/or electronic catalogs which allow viewers to order programming or merchandise. An advertiser may advertise his product through interactive television, and the user may view and make selections to order the product or receive more information on the product.

It is clearly desired to provide a convenient and easy mechanism which enables a user or viewer in an interactive television system to more effectively select and view information with which the viewer is interested. For example, it is desired to provide a convenient advertising mechanism in an interactive broadcast television system which enables advertisers to more effectively display advertisements. It is more generally desired to enable the user or viewer to more conveniently navigate through information in a web-like fashion in an interactive television medium.

One problem in providing web-like capabilities in an interactive television system is the broadcast nature of the system. The Internet is essentially a multi-point to multi-point network where each user can selectively retrieve different information or view different selected content. In contrast, the broadcast television medium is primarily a point to multi-point network where every user is generally required to receive the same content. Therefore, an improved interactive television system and method is desired which provides web-like capabilities in a primarily broadcast environment. An improved interactive television system and method is also desired which provides on-demand web-like capabilities for displaying requested images in a primarily broadcast environment

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The present invention thus provides hyperlinked web-like capabilities in an interactive television system. The interactive television system comprises a video delivery system for providing a plurality of channels of video and/or image content, and at least one subscriber television including a display screen, wherein the subscriber television is coupled to the video delivery system. The subscriber television further includes a set top box or interactive decoder logic which receives the plurality of channels and selectively displays a channel based on user input.

According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content. The video delivery system also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. One or more of the audio/video channels comprise AVI (audio video interactive) signals which include an audiovisual data stream as well as interactive program content. The interactive program content is executable to display selection options which reference or link to MPEG stills transferred on the still image channel. The MPEG stills may also include interactive program content used to display selection options which reference or link to other MPEG stills.

According to the invention, when the television is displaying video content from an AVI signal which includes interactive program content, the interactive program content is executed by the set top box or interactive decoder to display various selection options on the television. One or more of the selection options each corresponds to respective compressed still video images broadcast on the still image channel. The user or viewer can select one of the options to view desired information. When the set top box receives user input selecting an option to view one of the linked still images, the set top box captures the requested image from the still image broadcast channel, stores the image in memory, and displays the captured still video image corresponding to the selection. The still image being displayed may have associated interactive program content for displaying further selections, wherein these selections may be for viewing other images or content, for ordering information, or purchasing products. The user can thus selectively navigate between the video content and stills in a web-like hyperlinked fashion.

In one embodiment, when a user is navigating through still images, the television program or video content which was being viewed is displayed in a small window overlaid on the still image being displayed. In this embodiment, the audio portion of the program image may also be presented while still images are displayed. This provides a continuous television presence in addition to the web-like hyperlinked navigational capabilities.

When the set top box captures a requested image from the still image broadcast channel, the set top box preferably also pre-caches or pre-loads other related still images based on the probability that these related images will be subsequently requested by the user. Thus, when an image is requested that has been pre-cached, the image is retrieved from memory, instead of having to wait for the next broadcast of the image. This reduces the navigation latency and improves system performance.

In one embodiment, the interactive television system of the present invention further comprises a media server or web server which stores a plurality of still images which may be requested "on demand." In this embodiment, the broadcast center utilizes one or more channels which are reserved for user requests and thus provide still images "on demand." Thus, when the set top box receives user input indicating a request to receive additional still video images related to a certain video content, and these requested still images are not currently being broadcast on the still image channel, the set top box provides the request to the media server. The media server receives the request and provides the requested images to the broadcast center for transmission. The requested still video images related to the video content are then broadcast on the dedicated still image channel. The requesting set top box may then capture and display the requested images on the subscriber television. Alternatively, the requested images are provided directly from the media server to the set top box via the return channel.

The present invention thus comprises an interactive television system with web-like navigational capabilities. As one example, the present invention provides an improved system and method for displaying advertising content in an interactive television system. A user viewing the television can select an option which displays the advertising content of a respective advertiser or vendor. When the user selects this option, the television hyperlinks to one or more high quality compressed video stills which are being broadcast on the dedicated one or more still image channels which display the advertiser's goods or services. In the preferred embodiment, the video stills are presented in a format similar to Internet pages. The still images may include thumbprint images which link to other stills. The user may select respective thumbprints to view a full-screen image of the thumbprint image. Still images may also include a selection which enables the user to order a product or to provide an indication that the user desires to receive more information. The present invention thus enables advertisers to more intuitively provide advertising content in an interactive television medium.

Therefore, the system and method of the present invention provides a more convenient and a more informative method for users or viewers to access or navigate information in an interactive broadcast television system. The present invention provides an improved method which enables users to navigate through information content in an interactive television system using web-like images and hyperlinks to simplify information selections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive television system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the interactive television system of FIG. 1 which includes a remote network that provides programming content;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the interactive decoder of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the video delivery system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowchart diagrams illustrating operation of the interactive decoder of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7-9 are a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the interactive decoder of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the interactive decoder pre-caches still images related to a selected still image for improved performance;

FIG. 10 illustrates an interactive television system which provides "on demand" still images according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of the video delivery system of FIG. 10 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate operation of the interactive decoder of FIG. 10 according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a screen shot of a television displaying a program which includes selections that reference MPEG still images according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates an MPEG still image being displayed which includes one or more selections for viewing other stills or making orders according to the present invention;

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a channel advertising selection guide which references still images according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a magazine subscription example which utilizes linked images according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a sweepstakes example which utilizes linked images according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 21-24 illustrate a data feed application of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Interactive Television System

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an interactive television system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is noted that FIG. 1 is illustrative only, and other interactive television system embodiments may be used, as desired.

As shown, the interactive television system employs a broadcast center 100 for generating audiovisual content, including interactive audiovisual content. The broadcast center 100 includes an audio/video source 102 for providing the audiovisual content. The audiovisual content may comprise movies, sports, news, sitcoms or other audiovisual programming, as is normally seen on television. The audiovisual content also preferably comprises compressed still video images. The audio/video source 102 may include video compression logic for compressing still video images into compressed still video images. As shown in FIG. 2, the audiovisual content may also be supplied by a remote network 170 or a live feed, as desired.

The broadcast center 100 also includes an application server 104 for creating and/or generating interactive application content. The interactive application content comprises application code and data which is designed to be executed by a processor within a set top box or television to support an interactive television feature. The application server 104 is preferably configured for generating or providing "OpenTV" interactive applications. The application server may also provide "Java" applets or other interactive program content, as desired.

An Encoder/Multiplexer 106 combines the interactive application content with the audiovisual content to produce an audio-video-interactive (AVI) signal. The Encoder/Multiplexer 106 also synchronizes the interactive application content with the audiovisual content to ensure that the interactive application content is inserted in the proper position within the audiovisual content. It is noted that certain channels may comprise non-interactive programming content. In other words, certain audiovisual content may not have associated interactive content. The Encoder/Multiplexer 106 preferably multiplexes a plurality of signals, including AVI signals and optionally non-interactive signals, together for transmission.

The broadcast center 100 also includes an uplink satellite 108 for transmitting the broadcast signal for receipt by end-users or a subsequent distribution link. It is noted that FIG. 1 illustrates a satellite network example where a satellite is used to transmit the broadcast signal. However, it is noted that other transmission methods may be used, including cable distribution through coaxial cable, fiber optic transmission, microwave transmission or other means.

The broadcast signal is received from broadcast center 100 via a satellite downlink 120. The broadcast signal is then provided to a plurality of subscribers. As noted above, the broadcast signal includes one or more AVI signals on respective channels, and may include one or more non-interactive program signals.

As shown, each end user or subscriber preferably includes a set top box or interactive decoder 140 as well as a television set 150. The set top box or interactive decoder 140 is coupled to the television set 150. It is noted that the interactive decoder logic may be comprised in the television 150 instead of being comprised as a separate unit 140. Also, the television may comprise a general purpose programmable computer having a display screen, or other viewing device, as desired.

In the present disclosure, the term "subscriber television" is intended to include the television set 150 or other viewing device, such as a computer, and may include associated decoder logic for executing interactive programs. For example, in one embodiment, the subscriber television comprises the television set 150 coupled with the interactive decoder or set top box 140.

The television 150 includes a remote control 152 which facilitates user interaction with the television 150 and/or interactive decoder 140. The user can select desired television channels for viewing. The signal on the selected television channel is decoded by the interactive decoder 140 which provides an output to the television set 150. The interactive decoder 140 preferably executes a real time operating system, such as OpenTV from Thomson Electronics. Where the channel being viewed comprises an AVI signal, the interactive decoder 140 also executes an interactive application program conveyed within the selected AVI signal to enable an interactive television feature.

A return channel 156 interconnects the interactive decoder 140 to a transaction server 160, which monitors certain selections by the user and responds accordingly, as desired. The return channel 156 preferably utilizes a standard POTS (plain old telephone system) phone line and associated modems (not shown) for communication. Other return channel options, such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, ADSL (Assymetric Digital Subscriber Line), ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), or others, may be used, as desired.

The broadcast center 100 provides a plurality of program channels each comprising audiovisual content. One or more program channels comprise AVI signals including audiovisual content and associated interactive applications and/or still image link data. The link data is preferably HTML (hypertext markup language) data. According to the present invention, the broadcast center 100 also provides at least one channel, referred to as a still image channel, comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG compressed stills.

In the preferred embodiment, the still image channel transmits 25 still images per second where the images repeat every 3 seconds. Thus a total of 75 different still images are transmitted on one still image channel.

The interactive applications provided on an AVI signal are executable to display one or more selections on the television in conjunction with the audiovisual content. According to the present invention, certain of these selections reference respective MPEG stills which are transmitted on the one or more still image channels and are related to the video content. Certain selections may also be used to order information or products via the transaction server 160.

At least a subset of the broadcast still video images also include associat